Silverkin, page 21
Exeres buried his face in his hands. “But he is with someone else? Another Shae?”
The wariness mushroomed inside Thealos and turned into biting ants. He felt sick to his stomach. “How would you know that?”
“The other Shae! The other one! A sickly fellow…silver hair like mine! She sent him. The…Sorian! She sent him to take her away! By the Druids, don’t you understand?”
“Calm now, lad,” Allavin said, but Exeres whirled away in a frenzy. “You’re talking in circles. What happened?”
“Ticastasy, ban it! Miestri wants to kill her!”
Chapter XXII
Black thoughts swirled inside Thealos’ mind, sending swarms of hornets into his stomach. How could he have been so foolish—so blind! He ran with all his strength, hurtling over low-lying scrub and dodging around the army cook-fires in the camp of Owen Draw. None of the knights were sleeping. All had donned armor and scabbard and watched the group of madmen running through their camp with murmurs and shaking heads. Dire news to give the Knight General, no doubt. Dire news indeed, Thealos thought with despair. And what would Shearmur care?
Allavin reached the remains of their camp first. The fire still snapped and burned, untended. Thealos’ travel sack lay where he had left it, along with a rumpled blanket with stalks of dead grass. Thealos knelt by it, clutching the fabric and squeezing it so hard his hand hurt. Ban it! Ban it!
Exeres and the boy joined them, panting and disheveled.
Too late. Too banned late to save her. Thealos closed his eyes and bit his lip, bleeding inside. He should have looked after her better. It was his fault for trusting Justin. It was all his fault. How clear it was now—like dawn in the highlands without the traces of fog. Justin’s memory had been razed. Thealos had assumed that his long sleep in the warding was culpable for it. But on closer scrutiny, it made more sense that a Sorian was behind it. A Sorian had disturbed the warding. Justin had not been strong enough to defeat her. How could he have been? Like the Druid priest, he had fallen under her thrall, losing his ability to think for himself. Allavin had first thought that a Sleepwalker had murdered the group of Shae scouts he was with when he first saw the Everoot. No…it was probably Justin. Why else would he call himself a Kilshae now? Murdering a Shae was enough to warrant such an ill distinction, even if he’d done it unwittingly.
“They went this way,” Allavin said, studying the grass and circling the fire. He paused to touch his fingers to the prints. “All three of them.”
“Follow them,” Thealos said, his voice sounding hoarse in his own ears.
Exeres gripped the boy’s shoulders. “Rest here. Watch the fire. We’ll be back when we can.”
The boy looked frightened and nodded. Thealos gave him a smile and scooped up his travel pack. He had stored enough provisions in Sol to last for several days. He’d follow them down to the walls of Landmoor if necessary. He’d take off Justin’s head if she’d managed to bruise even her knees.
“This way,” Allavin said again, picking up his pace. “The tracks are fresh.”
Thealos looked at Exeres. “You can stay…”
“I’m with you,” the Druid priest said. He mopped his face and took a deep breath. The man looked like he had carried a sack of stones without resting for six days. Gray smudged his eye and his patch twitched a little askew as he scratched his scalp.
“Come on, then,” Thealos said. He swore silently again. They could not be that far ahead, could they? An hour or two?
But it wouldn’t take long to murder a girl. Not for a Warder. Thealos had seen him kill Kiran Thall and Krag Drugaen with Earth magic, summoning its power into a flash of blue light that struck from his hands like fire. Just thinking about it made his stomach lurch. Not Ticastasy. Not after all she had done for him.
Allavin led them into the darkness beyond the camp’s perimeter. He stopped a knight on duty and asked if he had seen any of them. The man replied he had not, but again, that did not surprise Thealos. Warder magic could help them pass unseen. Only another Shae would have smelled the Earth magic at work. Not these humans.
He wrestled with his emotions, at the feeling of helplessness and desperation. Was this how Jaerod felt day by day? To have the power of the Oath magic but not be able to save those he cared for? He had imagined that being a Sleepwalker would be euphoric. To have the skills that others lacked, to be deft with blade or hands—yet what good was it if it lacked the foresight to know trouble? To know when someone was a traitor?
Allavin stopped and crouched low, waving his hand over the knee-high grass. “Left an easy enough trail,” he whispered. “They crossed the western edge of camp and turned south.” He unslung his bow and tugged loose the nub of an arrow in his hip quiver.
Thealos put his hand on the woodsman’s shoulder.
Exeres joined them. “If he tries to summon any Earth magic, I’ll counter it the best I can. Might not be enough, if Miestri is still controlling him.”
Thealos nodded. “I’ll circle around to the right and attack from behind. I’ll keep you in my sights, Allavin. Let’s go.”
Allavin started at a half-crouched run and followed the trail by the moonlight. Thealos veered to the right and slipped his hand into the pouch at his waist and cupped the five stones. He invoked their power and vanished from the sight of all. If he needed to, he would be able to get close enough to save her. If she was still alive.
Ban it, Ticastasy. I should never have left you alone. He remembered his family and how he had never been able to say goodbye. Sickness and sorrow coiled in his bones. He jammed the memories back into the halls of his mind. They were still too painful. Tears stung his eyes and he fought them away.
Thealos went ahead of Allavin, not caring about the sounds or stealth of his approach. The stones would hide him until he was close enough to matter. Ahead, in the darkness, he heard the tiniest of sounds. Waiting.
Thealos wanted to whistle a warning to Allavin, but realized he would have to forsake the magic of the stones to do so. Gritting his teeth, he sprinted ahead, running as fast as his legs could go. His chest heaved and he felt the memories of the Ravinir swirl amidst his thoughts, stealing the edges of his sense of self away from him. He smelled no Forbidden magic, but then he knew the stones subdued even that. At least Justin would not be able to sense his approach either.
Movement in a small copse of inland oaks caught his eyes.
“It’s Allavin,” he heard Flent mutter. “Someone with him too…sweet Hate, Exeres too!”
Thealos stopped himself and nearly stumbled. His Shae eyes picked out Ticastasy and Flent, hiding behind the twisting branches of the oak.
Alive! They were both alive!
Thealos approached from behind and entered the copse of oak. Justin lay in a heap, his hands tied behind his back, his ankles tethered to a tree, and a gag in his mouth, tied behind his head.
* * *
When Thealos released his grip on the power of the stones and took a step forward, Flent whirled around with a cudgel and looked like he would cave in Thealos’ head.
“How in…? Thealos?” Flent spluttered. “How did you…all the way around us? Is that you?”
Thealos stared at the Drugaen and Ticastasy, his heart too full to speak.
“Ho! Allavin!” A little burst of whistle came from Flent’s lips and he waved them both over.
Ticastasy cocked her head at Thealos. “Why do you look so dumbfounded, Quickfellow?” She nudged Justin with her boot. “You didn’t think I could take him?”
“Are you all right, Stasy?” He stepped forward, staring and gaping at her like a pure fool.
“Of course she’s all right,” Flent said, punching Thealos in the arm. “Smart girl, this one. Smarter than me, but then that’s not too heavy a boast. I was an idiot, but she saw right through the trap. Clever girl.” He gave her a hug and she blushed.
Allavin and Exeres joined them in the shelter of oaks. The woodsman crouched by Justin’s body and looked him over. He turned back to her and smiled. “You hit him pretty hard. Think he’ll wake up any time soon?”
She shrugged. “I didn’t want him to. I only got Flent awake a few moments ago, and we heard someone coming through the brush. Probably you, Zerite.”
Exeres sat down with a thump and breathed like a winded horse. “That wouldn’t surprise me a bit, Timacasy.” She glared at him but he gave her a wink. “That was a joke. I actually remembered your name this time.”
She smiled at him and came over and gave him a fierce hug. Thealos felt a jolt of envy, especially when she kissed the priest’s cheek.
“For saving Flent’s life in Landmoor, Exeres.” She shook her head. “He told me about how you found him and cured him. I owe you a debt I’ll never be able to repay.”
Flent sauntered over and shook Exeres’ hand. “I thank you too, friend. You’re gonna be a rich man, with all the debts we owe you. Hope you’ll take an ale as payment now and again.”
Ticastasy sighed and shook her head. “He’s a Zerite, Flent.”
“Oh.”
Exeres shrugged. “I don’t deserve the acclaim. It was the will of the Druids that led me to you both. I have no doubt of that. It pleases me to see you both safe. I thought…I thought I wouldn’t make it in time to stop him.” He nodded towards the trussed-up Warder.
Flent scratched his head. “Well, that’s good enough for me, I guess. Neither of us speak Silvan, and Justin…or Ravin as it turns out…speaks only a little Drugaen that I could understand. He said he sensed some dark magic coming our way and he was trying to lead us to a safe place. Thought it a little odd that he wanted us to leave the knights…pretty banned safe place to be if you asked me.”
Ticastasy smiled and put her arm around his neck. “Don’t feel bad, Flent.”
“What happened?” Allavin asked, glancing back to their prisoner.
“I’m a little hazy on that part,” Flent said. “You tell it, Stasy.”
She stuffed her thumbs in her belt. “It didn’t feel right to me. My memories of him aren’t that kind. He was always apart from the rest of us. Always scolding Quickfellow for something or other…”
“He liked playing Bones with me,” Flent said defensively.
“I think he suffered playing Bones, Flent. Acted kind of spoiled. Too good for us…like Quickfellow did before we tamed him.” She gave him a wink. “So here he tries to tell us to leave, that it’s not safe in the camp anymore. When we made it about that far, right over there, he did something. I saw his eyes start to glow and suddenly Flent dropped to the ground.” She held up her hands.
“What happened then?” Thealos said, frustrated and knowing that she was building up the tension on purpose to liven up the story.
“I gave him a good thrashing, like any self-respecting serving girl from Sol would do. He thought Flent was the bully, not me. I knocked down a Kiran Thall in Landmoor. He dropped even faster. So I trussed him up, then dragged Flent over here. Took a little while to rouse this big guy—you know how deep he can snore. I don’t have to remind you of that, do I?”
“You are a clever girl,” Thealos said, smiling at her with approval.
She blushed again and shrugged, seeming pleased with herself.
“He’s moving,” Allavin said, stepping back and drawing the arrow back.
Thealos went around to face him and Exeres nodded and stood by his feet. Flent hefted the branch he had grabbed as a cudgel. Ticastasy folded her arms.
“Ravin,” Thealos said, calling to him. “If you can hear me, try and nod your head.”
Justin nodded once, squinting, his brows creased into wrinkles of pain.
“I’m going to loosen the gag. If I sense that you try and summon the Earth magic, any of it, then I will kill you myself. Do you understand?”
Again, a quick nod.
Thealos reached around his neck and untied the makeshift gag that was a tear from the hem of his robes. He let his senses roam free, feeling every mote of magic in the area. Justin gave off a normal smell, the smell of a Shae but with a little mar…a hint of something vile. Taint.
“Don’t kill me,” Justin whispered in Silvan, his voice choking with emotion. “I’m free of her at last, don’t kill me.”
“What did he say?” Exeres asked. “I don’t speak that tongue.”
Allavin answered. “Says he’s free of her.”
Justin craned his neck, staring back at the people behind him. His eyes looked wild, fearful for a moment. Then he buried his chin against his chest and huge sobs started choking his body.
Thealos stared at him in awe, feeling a twinge of compassion rise up in his own throat. He gripped Justin’s shoulder, trying to feel inside of him for the taint of darkness. It was there, but it did not permeate him, not like the smell of a Sorian.
“Cut him loose,” Thealos said to Stasy.
She hesitated, her eyes searching his as if to say, Are you sure, Quickfellow?
“Cut him loose.”
She slipped her dagger out and freed the bonds around his ankles and wrists.
Thealos stared at him, mixed feelings battling in his chest. Exeres joined him near the sobbing Shae.
“I think I understand what he’s feeling,” Exeres said. “I nearly wept too. Mage freed us both tonight.”
* * *
The campfire crackled and spit as Thealos dropped another log in its center. Cinders sprayed in a shower of sparks before settling back within the ring of stones. Justin sipped from a bowl of egg and broth, his eyes reddened and moist. Ticastasy and Flent sat on the other side of the fire, one looking at the Warder with suspicion, the other with tenderness. The boy Kinross snored lightly nearby, Thealos’ blanket wrapped around his thin body.
Glancing over the tongues of flame, Thealos saw Allavin approach with Exeres.
“Shearmur’s striking camp. The knights will be gone before daylight,” Allavin said.
“So he listened to you, Exeres?” Thealos said. “You must be more persuasive than the rest of us.”
The priest sat down by the fire and leaned back on his hands and grunted with the movement. “A better explanation would be…that he could not ignore all three of our warnings. The man is not superstitious, but I think what he saw in the skies unnerved him a bit.”
“Seems that everyone owes you a favor tonight,” Thealos said. “Do you carry a tally stick so we can all carve our due in it?” He gave the priest a smile to let him know he was joking. “Your warning was well timed, to us all.”
The priest lay back and pillowed his head on his hands. “If I’m going to collect any due tonight, it would be to get some sleep. I don’t think…” He stopped and a long yawn escaped him. “Can’t keep my eyes open.” He squinted up at the sky. “Look at the stars. Is it that early already?”
Allavin snorted. “It’ll be dawn in a few more hours. Get some sleep. I’ll stand watch.”
Thealos shook his head. “You need some sleep too, Allavin. I’ll watch.”
Allavin raised an eyebrow and a weary smile came over his mouth. “Too tired to argue with you. If you can’t stay awake, give me a nudge.” He put a hand on Justin’s knee. “Sleep, Warder. We’re not enemies.”
Justin bowed his head. “I do not deserve your forgiveness. I killed your friends.”
Allavin’s mouth twitched. “I know, Warder. But if your guilt is near enough to my loss, then you’ve suffered enough for it. I blame the Sorian witch. Not you.”
Thealos gave Allavin a smile and watched as the grizzled woodsman wrapped himself in a blanket near the fire stones and fell asleep in moments. He turned to Justin. “Sleep, friend.”
“I slept too long in the warding. I don’t think I’ll ever be tired again.” He finished off the broth, set the bowl on the ground, and faced away from the fire. Clutching his robes to his trembling body, he lay down and said nothing, staring at the stars.
Horses stamped around the camp and knights ghosted in and out of the firelight, pulling down tents and scrubbing the stew pots and sharpening blades. Mounts snorted and huffed in the darkness, tossing their manes, and soldiers coughed. The warmth of the fire throbbed against his boot soles and he tugged them beneath him, staring for a moment at the flames. He glanced to one side and saw the rise and fall of Exeres’ chest as he slept. A human with Shae blood. It went against the Rules of Forbiddance. His upbringing in Avisahn made part of him cringe being near Exeres. Yet what control did a man have over his own birth? It was like blaming an elm for the rain.
“Are you jealous of him, Quickfellow?” Stasy sidled up next to him.
How did she keep doing that? He was the Sleepwalker, not her.
He looked at her then glanced over at Flent passed out and heard the first throaty sputtering of a snore. He’d thought it was a horse braying. “Jealous?”
“Of Exeres.”
“Why would I be jealous of him?”
She cocked her head and butted his elbow with hers.
“Should I be jealous of him?” He thought changing the tone of the reply might work better. It was a good barter trick.
She smiled and scratched a little spot on the nape of her neck. “He is rather handsome, even with the eye patch.”
“You’re teasing me.”
“Only because you deserve it.”
He smelled her, the fragrance hauntingly familiar. Her cinnamon-brown eyes that could read into his silence as well as his words. A rush of heat went through him and he looked down at the hem of his black cloak and picked some dead grass from it. Maybe he could understand Exeres better than he first believed. How a Shae could have feelings for a human.
“I missed you, Stasy.”
She smiled at that. “Glad to hear you say it.”
“You didn’t miss me?”
“Why would I want to tell you that? You’re jealous of a half-blind Druid priest who can’t eat meat.”
He smiled and tugged up some grass roots. “No. Not really.”
